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skyplus | 18:37 Wed 25th Apr 2018 | Home & Garden
9 Answers
To day I discovered a crack in the glass of my stove. This crack runs diagonally from left to right. Why did this happen and is it safe to light my stove?


Many thanks
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Looking at relevant threads of the web, most people seem to err on the side of caution, suggesting that there might be a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if you continue to use the stove without replacing the glass. (I'd certainly take that view myself). However someone on this thread says that he's been using his stove with cracked glass without any problems:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/cracked-glass-dangerous.61522/

Possible causes of the problem are given here:
https://blog.gr8fires.co.uk/2014/08/31/why-has-the-glass-cracked-on-my-woodburner/
Was the stove in use yesterday?
If the glass is fitted tightly and the stove heats up, then cools the constraints on the glass miht cause it to crack.

Or maybe a log or lump of coal tumbled in the fite and knocked the glass, causing it to crack.

Is it safe to light?

General advice is not to light a stove with cracked glass.

1. the glass is weakened and further stress due to heat might lead to complete failure - the glass smashing and exposing the naked fire to the room.

2. a crack will modify the airflow, causing the fire to (probably) burn significantly hotter.

3. before the fire is properly alight, there may be some leakage of carbon monoxide, though if you have a good draw, that's not a huge risk.

My advice:
1. don't burn the stove with cracked glass.
2. Order a replacement immediately
3. If you absolutely must] run the stove, the do not leave it unattended.
Pure guess on my part but; with a large draught going up a chimney I'd doubt much nasty is going to work it's way in the other direction through a thin crack. Got a carbon monoxide alarm nearby ?
General opinion is to change the glass asap..however I cant see that its any more dangerous than an open fire.
get it replaced...not worth the risk - anyway, you hardly need it now for the summer ahead, assuming that you aren't living in the Hebrides or Orkneys - or beyond to Polar Land.
I agree with replacing the glass, which may have cracked due to over heating or rapid cooling.
Probably wise to replace the rope and sealant at the same time.
This might be naive thinking but if you can use a stove with the door open, I don't see what problem a crack could cause.
Happened to me on a glass hob cooker. Was able to claim on my insurance (£ replacement and fitting cost was about £300-350 so worth it) as it was covered as part of glass fixtures and fittings
The way I see it, is the stove was designed to be used with the door shut, this will enable the air wash system to work efficiently.
Obviously its safer if the door is closed, to avoid flying sparks, also.
My manual says that the best temperature to burn at is between 300-600c.

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